Middle School Prep (MSP) supports post-5th and -6th grade motivated scholars across Western New York with accelerated educational enrichment. MSP is an engaging, five-week summer program, during the crucial middle school years, that keeps scholars engaged through a culturally relevant, fun, and stimulating learning environment. This program nurtures a love of learning, cultivates peer-to-peer connection, and prepares scholars for success in their educational aspirations. It takes place at Nichols Middle School.
Current Scholars: Please click here to make a Middle School Prep/Prep Bridge payment.
Extended enrichment
Prep Bridge
Prep Bridge is designed for scholars who wish to stay connected to their peers in a fun and accelerated learning environment throughout their 7th grade school year. This culturally relevant, academic enrichment program helps scholars to excel during middle school as they consider applying for the competitive High School Prep program. Scholars who completed a Buffalo Prep post-6th grade summer program have the opportunity to apply to Prep Bridge, which takes place on Saturdays at the University at Buffalo South Campus.
Curriculum
Buffalo Prep’s culturally relevant-sustaining philosophy is centered around three pillars: academic excellence, cultural competence, and critical consciousness. Culturally relevant and sustaining curricula seek to encourage and incorporate a breadth of heritages, languages, practices, and literacies in the classroom so that students see themselves in the material and are empowered. Learn more about Buffalo Prep’s curriculum here.
During the summers following fifth and sixth grades, Middle School Prep students attend classes approximately eight hours per day, Monday through Friday, for five consecutive weeks.
Students receive rigorous accelerated subject matter in four core classes: English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. At Buffalo Prep, we recognize that a student’s academic abilities and accomplishments are only one aspect of thriving as a student and individual. Scholars also focus on social-emotional wellness, professional skills, and other non-academic topics necessary for health, happiness, and success in the 21st century school and workplace. In addition, students develop competencies in problem solving, writing, scientific inquiry, critical thinking, time management, technology, and academic skills.